G3 Iroquois & G2 Pocahontas Day: Through the Eyes & Lens of Holly M. Smith

Holly M. Smith |

(Owner Dennis Albaugh, with his left arm in the sling, celebrates a great moment with his 2YO colt Dennis’ Moment after the G3 Iroquois Stakes at Churchill Downs on Saturday / Photo by Holly M. Smith)

Editor’s Note:

It was a spectacular day at the oval on Saturday. Bright sunshine. Beautiful horses. Bountiful purses. And, brilliant races.

Add in a jigger of bourbon or a splash of beer?

Perfection.

And, it was a perfect day for Holly M. Smth — our most wonderful equine photographer — to capture some of the action.

Here’s a look through her eyes and lens:

(Shanghai Moon wins at Churchill Downs / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

(Bourbon Calling is headed right at you and to the winner’s circle / Photos by Holy M. Smith)

 

(Divine Queen walks the paddock before the Open Mind Stakes / Photo by Holly M. Smith)

(Divine Beauty had some running to do and some photos to take after the Open Mind Stakes win, too / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

 

(Go Google Yourself had others googling and gasping after her win in the G3 Locust Grove / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

(His Glory was amazing before and during the G2 Pocahontas Stakes, nearly pulling a miracle win / Photo by Holly M. Smith)

(Portrait was as pretty as a picture in the paddock / Photo by Holly M. Smith)

(But the Pocahontas belong to the Doug O’Neill trained Lazy Daisy, who shipped in for the upset win / Photo by Holly M. Smith)

(Scabbard was eyeing the track before the G3 Iroquois Stakes and eyeing the back of Dennis’ Moment during the race / Photo by Holly M. Smith)

(The amazing Dennis’ Moment, with owner Dennis Albaugh in the sling in the last photo, before — during — and after the G3 victory / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

(Trainer Dale Romans chats with Joe Kristufek after Dennis’ Moment celebrated a great moment in the Iroquois Stakes / Photo by Holly M. Smith)

 

The horse broke well today,” Gaffalione said. “I had the horse inside, Dunph, going to the lead and then (Gun It) showed a little bit of speed. When I saw they were intent on going I just tried to get him back and got him to relax. He came back to me nicely and settled well down the backside. Got a little keen going into the far turn and wanted to move a little early. But I didn’t want to take too much away from him so I tried to sit as long as I could. He was waiting on horses down the lane but I kept him at task and there was plenty of horse there.”

“Mark (Casse, the trainer) and his team have done a great job,” Gaffalione said. “They’ve had a ton of confidence in this horse the whole way. It’s just an honor to be able to ride the horse. He’s just so professional, trains great and he’s a pleasure to be around.”

Tyler Gaffalione, Rode of War of Will to victory in the G2 Risen Star Stakes at the Fair Grounds
  • Holly M. Smith

    Holly M. Smith

    22 stories

    Holly is a freelance photographer based in Louisville. While she maintains a full time job outside of the thoroughbred/horse industry she spends most of her free time around the racetrack. Horses and photography have been a part of Holly's life going all the way back to elementary school. In 2015 ...

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